Finding Aid for Governmental Relations and Public Affairs Publications, 1971-2017 | University of Illinois Archives

Title: Governmental Relations and Public Affairs Publications, 1971-2017

ID: 5/12/801

Primary Creator: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Office of Public Affairs

Extent: 1.3 cubic feet

Arrangement: By Subject and Chronological Thereunder

Date Acquired: 10/19/2018

Subjects: Government and Public Affairs, Institute of, Illinois Higher Education, Publications, University of Illinois

Languages: English

The Governmental Relations and Public Affairs Publications (1971-2017) contains publications from publishers such as the Illinois Foundation, The Institute of Government and Public Affairs, Illinois Higher Education, and The Office of the President. Publications include materials relating to university annual reports, strategic plans, former university presidents Stanley Ikenberry and James J. Stukel, campus building renovation plans, farm endowments, graduated student surveys, student profile statistics, history of the university.

In 1919 a University committee recommended the creation of a Department or Bureau of Publicity. The Department's purpose was to "advertise" the University by sending speakers to press gatherings, women's clubs, high schools, county fairs, and chautauquas, and especially to let the taxpayers of Illinois "know just what character of educational service they are paying for." The following year, University Trustees appointed a Directory of Publicity.¹ Since 1920, the Director's title has changed from Director of Publicity, to Director of Public Information, to Director of Public Relations.² In 1980 consultants retained by the Trustees recommended further changes, and the Director became known as Special Assistant to the President and University Director of Public Affairs. Noting the "effective leadership within the University's complex structure requires a smoothly functioning and responsive communication process, "Trustees allowed the new Special Assistant to report directly to the President. The Special Assistant's duties are at the President's discretion and include "the development of a communication program to support the mission and activities of the University; the interpretation of our policies and programs to the public; and the development of understanding and support for the University on the part of constituencies served by the University both within Illinois and elsewhere."³ In 1987 the President commissioned a report on improving public affairs coordination at the University. The report recommended "that the authority and responsibility of the university director of public affairs be clarified and strengthened." It proposed the creation of "a public affairs group, chaired by the director, [to] develop and continually update a strategic public relations plan for the University." It also recommended that the name of the University Development Committee be changed to the President's Committee on External Affairs and its purview broadened to include "general oversight of public affairs." Trustees endorsed "the major directions" of the report.⁴

1. Board of Trustees Transactions, 30th Report, August 15, 1919, pp. 503-06; June 15, 1920, p. 854.

2. Ibid., 46th Report, July 16, 1962, p. 31; 59th Report, January 19, 1977, p. 187.

3. Ibid., 60th Report, January 17, 1980, pp. 506-07; 62nd Report, March 15, 1984, p. 509; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Student-Staff Directory 1990-1991, p. 62.

4. Transactions of the Board of Trustees, 64th Report, June 11, 1987, p. 288; November 11, 1987, p. 418.

Government and Public Affairs, Institute of
Illinois Higher Education
Publications
University of Illinois

Repository: University of Illinois Archives

URL: https://files.archon.library.illinois.edu/uasfa/0512801.pdf

PDF finding aid for Governmental Relations and Public Affairs Publications (5/12/801)